Title: The Plight of Guatemalan Children Facing Deportation: A Tale of Trauma and Resilience The recent news event involving 76 Guatemalan children whose deportations were halted by a federal judge has shed light on the harrowing experiences these minors face. These unaccompanied migrant children, who came to the US without legal documents, have been subjected to abuse and neglect in their native country of Guatemala. Their attempts at seeking asylum in the United States were met with a sudden and traumatic attempt at deportation last weekend. The children’s lawyers argue that sending them back to Guatemala would put them at risk of “grave and irreparable harm.” They claim this action violated their due process rights within the US as well as federal law. The minors were roused from their beds in the middle of the night, only to be brought by immigration authorities onto three planes. One plane took off but was forced to turn around after a temporary restraining order was issued by a federal district court judge. Newly released court papers provide more details about these children’s circumstances and experiences during this ordeal. A 17-year-old Guatemalan boy described being awakened at 2 am, feeling scared, losing his breath, and starting to pray. Another child simply stated that she was “totally traumatized.” One young girl became so frightened that she vomited due to the stress of the situation. Many of these minors express fear about returning to Guatemala after having been threatened by gang members or being victims of human trafficking themselves. They share stories of abuse and neglect, highlighting why they are “terrified” at the prospect of going back home. This news event underscores the ongoing crisis faced by unaccompanied minors from Central America who seek refuge in the United States. It is crucial that we recognize their plight and provide them with support and protection rather than subjecting them to further trauma through deportation. The resilience displayed by these children amidst such adversity serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of empathy in times of crisis.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/09/03/g-s1-86788/faq-why-were-76-guatemalan-children-pulled-off-deportation-flights-in-the-middle-of-the-night)
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